We note with concern the article by Sam Sokolove of June 1 posted on www.nmisrael.org, “Anti-Israel Billboards are Simply False Advertising.”

As Jews with long-standing ties with the Albuquerque/Santa Fe community, we are disappointed that Mr. Sokolove misrepresented the views of a growing element within the New Mexico Jewish community who seek to express their displeasure with repeated violations of Palestinian human rights by Israel.

The billboard in question, contrary to Mr. Sokolove’s assertions, was not designed to “send a message of hate to Albuquerqueans,” but rather to bring to the attention of the public the fact that their tax dollars were being used to support military action in Gaza that resulted in the death of over 1,300 Palestinians, including hundreds of children. By misstating that the billboard contained “the egregious image of a Palestinian child in the crosshairs of an Israeli tank,” [there were no crosshairs represented on the billboard], Mr. Sokolove falsely accused the supporters of the billboard of suggesting that the Israelis deliberately targeted Palestinian children. The billboard simply expressed a series of undisputed facts: (1) the United States provides billions of dollars in military aid to Israel; (2) Israel used this aid in its attacks on Gaza in December and January; and (3) hundreds of children died in these attacks.

We agree with Mr. Sokolove that many of these issues are deserving of a vigorous debate within the Jewish community, such as the questions of the disproportionate response by the Israel military in Gaza; which side bears a greater degree of responsibility for the high levels of death and destruction; the “basic righteousness of the Israeli cause;” and the relative influence of AIPAC and other pro-Israeli support groups on US foreign policy. Unfortunately, under Mr. Sokolove’s “ground rules,” people who do not support his position are excluded from the discussion.

Neither we, or anyone with whom we are associated in our promotion of peace and justice issues, “tacitly champion terror, propagate anti-Semitism [or] support the targeting of Israeli civilians for the crime of their nationality,” and we deeply resent the insinuation. To rely on these tired and unjustified stereotypes equating criticism of Israel with terror and anti-Semitism debases the argument and stifles dialogue.

Stanley Handmaker, MD, Ph.D.

Stanley M. Hordes, Ph.D.